Miller notes Simpson doesn’t carry a Round 1 grade on his board and drew little interest from teams at the Senior Bowl. With four first- and second-round picks, however, the Jets could afford to roll the dice on a quarterback with starter upside despite concerns about his size and arm strength.
In Miller’s projection, the only quarterbacks selected in the two-round plan are Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1 and Simpson to the Jets at No. 44. Simpson is regarded as the second-best quarterback in the 2026 draft class, with buzz rising after performances at the Senior Bowl.
NFL draft analyst Drew Beatty offered cautious-but-optimistic context, suggesting teams could value Simpson higher than last year’s Jaxson Dart and that he could go in the back half of the top 10—perhaps even as high as the Browns at No. 6. Beatty cited Simpson’s strong processing, pocket presence and athleticism, while noting injuries late in the 2023 season.
Beatty also emphasized the injury context, describing “pretty significant” issues Simpson played through, which could explain gaps in his tape. He said the quarterback’s mental tools, timing, and NFL-caliber processing are compelling, and that the arm projects fine by league standards.
The rest of Miller’s Jets mock includes Arvell Reese, a versatile edge/linebacker from Ohio State, at No. 2; USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 16; and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald at No. 33, all aimed at strengthening a Jets defense and supporting cast.
This summary reflects content originally published by Heavy Sports, which framed the Jets’ plan as a bold, dice-rolling move on a 23-year-old quarterback with significant upside. The article’s core takeaway is a snapshot of how draft chatter envisions New York balancing risk and potential in a quarterback-needy class.
